Observation/Reflection #5 - How Do We Stop This Thing?
Observe how and when your teacher closes his or her lessons and/or activities. How does he or she end each class period? Is there a set routine? If so, describe it. Pay special attention to when you teacher begins to end the class. Does he or she return to the purpose or main idea of the lesson? Does he or she "set up" the homework or the next day's activity? Is the teacher still teaching when the bell rings or are students already poised to leave? Is there some "dead time" at the end of the class period? If so, how much? How do students react to your teacher's closing strategies? Remember that these questions are a guide and that you don't have to answer each one. Be sure you reflect on your observations and describe how you will try to end your classes. What supports for these ideas might you include in your lesson plans?
Observations:
Today I observed a 7th grade science class. The students were doing a density lab. The purpose of the lab was for the students to determine which soda can floated (Coke or Diet Coke). They were to do this by using the measurements of density and comparing it with the density of water. Ms. T started the lesson by discussing with the class how we determine the density of irregularly and regularly shaped objects. She then showed two can in water. The labels were covered by duct tape, and it was obvious that one was floating and one had sunk. She then gave the students a variety of materials and a chart to fill in, and let them figure out how to find the density on their own. Toward the end of class most of the students had finished and were then allowed to work on the writing assignment associated with the lab. Some students took advantage of this "free time" and some did not.
Reflections:
I did like how the students were given a bunch of materials and were allowed to make their own procedure. Most of the students just did what they saw other groups doing, however it still took some thinking on the part of the students. The "free time" at the end of the class was supposed to be for the students to work on their next assignment, but because they were not required to finish this assignment during class, the students were not using the time appropriately. I remember that as a student I appreciated having a little bit of time at the end of class to at least look at my homework assignment so that I could ask questions before hand if needed. I also remember that many students, including myself at times, took advantage of this free time to either rest their heads on the table, or catch up on socializing. I think that every once in a while it is okay to have a few minutes of free time, however I think that after an assignment is completed, the teacher should bring the class together for a brief discussion to wrap things up, and I believe that will be my strategy.
Class Topic: Density Lab
Grade: 7th
Observed by: Haley W
Observation/Reflection #5 - How Do We Stop This Thing?
Observe how and when your teacher closes his or her lessons and/or activities. How does he or she end each class period? Is there a set routine? If so, describe it. Pay special attention to when you teacher begins to end the class. Does he or she return to the purpose or main idea of the lesson? Does he or she "set up" the homework or the next day's activity? Is the teacher still teaching when the bell rings or are students already poised to leave? Is there some "dead time" at the end of the class period? If so, how much? How do students react to your teacher's closing strategies? Remember that these questions are a guide and that you don't have to answer each one. Be sure you reflect on your observations and describe how you will try to end your classes. What supports for these ideas might you include in your lesson plans?Observations:
Today I observed a 7th grade science class. The students were doing a density lab. The purpose of the lab was for the students to determine which soda can floated (Coke or Diet Coke). They were to do this by using the measurements of density and comparing it with the density of water. Ms. T started the lesson by discussing with the class how we determine the density of irregularly and regularly shaped objects. She then showed two can in water. The labels were covered by duct tape, and it was obvious that one was floating and one had sunk. She then gave the students a variety of materials and a chart to fill in, and let them figure out how to find the density on their own. Toward the end of class most of the students had finished and were then allowed to work on the writing assignment associated with the lab. Some students took advantage of this "free time" and some did not.
Reflections:
I did like how the students were given a bunch of materials and were allowed to make their own procedure. Most of the students just did what they saw other groups doing, however it still took some thinking on the part of the students. The "free time" at the end of the class was supposed to be for the students to work on their next assignment, but because they were not required to finish this assignment during class, the students were not using the time appropriately. I remember that as a student I appreciated having a little bit of time at the end of class to at least look at my homework assignment so that I could ask questions before hand if needed. I also remember that many students, including myself at times, took advantage of this free time to either rest their heads on the table, or catch up on socializing. I think that every once in a while it is okay to have a few minutes of free time, however I think that after an assignment is completed, the teacher should bring the class together for a brief discussion to wrap things up, and I believe that will be my strategy.
Class Topic: Density Lab
Grade: 7th
Observed by: Haley W